Inside the locker room, Ovechkin signed trading cards, jerseys, and the stick that he tossed to Cash last Wednesday in Edmonton. “Do you want me to personalize?” Ovechkin asked the star-struck eight-year-old, before inscribing To Cash, Best of luck! on the twig.

“Do you play hockey?” Ovechkin asked. Cash nodded. “I hope I see you in the show.”

Cash then presented Ovechkin with one of his own signed game-used sticks.

“I’ve scored four goals in two games this weekend,” Cash beamed to Ovechkin.

“Nice!” Ovechkin said.

Later Cash posed for a photo with his idol.

Photo: Miranda Niebergall

The entire Niebergall family did so as well.

Photo: Miranda Niebergall

The Niebergalls drove 323 kilometers from their Stony Plain, Alberta, home to meet the Russian machine at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Photo: Miranda Niebergall

Photo: @Capitals

Cash brought his Ovechkin stick down for warmups and held up a sign that read The Great 8 made my 8th birthday GR8.

During warm-ups, Ovechkin slapped the glass with his stick, acknowledging Cash.

CSN cameras found the Niebergalls in the stands during the second period.

CSN Mid-Atlantic’s Joe Beninati, Craig Laughlin, and Alan May also showed highlights from the family’s time at the game. Joe B also included the priceless fact that Cash missed Ovi’s goal in Edmonton because he was going to the bathroom.